Yunxi

Li Yunxi was born in Macau, China, and lives in Shanghai. Before Shanghai, she lived in Guangzhou and in Shenzhen. She studied environmental science at Sun Yat-sen University, then education, and went on to a doctorate in educational technology at East China Normal University. Teaching Mandarin is her main work, and environmental research comes second. She is thoughtful, conscientious and full of new ideas.

One of Yunxi's most treasured childhood memories is planting a tree with her grandfather, and that tree started her lifelong love of the environment. Today she gardens in the city, watches birds, plays the guzheng, cycles and plays table tennis. She loves Cantonese food, especially dim sum, admires the pianist Lang Lang, adores red pandas, returns often to the Huangshan mountains and celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with real enthusiasm.

Yunxi's classes are methodical and often built around nature, because she believes "nature is the best teacher." Another favorite saying of hers is "small steps bring big changes." She also creates Mandarin learning materials about conservation and shares urban gardening tips online. Gardening is how she relaxes, and Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" is the book she treasures most.